Chimera is the world’s first commercially-developed turbine-based combined cycle engine. At low speeds, Chimera is in turbojet mode – just like any jet aircraft. At higher speeds, Chimera bypasses the incoming air around the turbojet and the ramjet takes over completely.
Chimera will power our first aircraft Quarterhorse and its larger successor, Chimera II, will power Darkhorse.
Most hypersonic platforms are powered by a rocket engine – which limits operability, maintainability, and reliability.
By making an air-breathing hypersonic engine that does not require a rocket to accelerate, we’re setting the stage for operational hypersonic flight – meaning aircraft that can be rapidly turned around like modern planes today.
PART TURBOJET, PART RAMJET
No Clean-Sheet Turbine Development Needed
Chimera utilizes a GE J85 turbojet as its turbine core. Using a readily available, off-the-shelf gas turbine engine saves billions of dollars' worth of development and years of schedule.
Hypersonic Milestone
In November 2022, Hermeus demonstrated turbojet to ramjet transition within Chimera. This is one of the most important technological challenges enabling operational hypersonic flight.
